Clear from the first conversation

A first conversation, without obligation

Your first step is simply to talk to us. We listen to your situation, explain where you stand in your religion and in English law, and set out your options clearly. There is no pressure to continue, and no obligation, whether or not you go ahead with us.

The kinds of help we give

It helps to know which of these you are getting:

• General information: our guides, tools and answers on this website explain how things usually work in England and Wales. They are not advice on your situation.
• An assessment of your situation: when we look at your own facts, our view depends on those facts and on the documents we see.
• Islamic opinion: our scholars’ views, and the scholars’ panel’s decisions, are religious. They have no legal effect in English law.
• Legal work: all reserved legal work is carried out by our partner solicitors.

Confidentiality and legal privilege

We keep what you tell us confidential, and share it only as our privacy notice explains: with your agreement, with the people handling your matter, where someone is at risk of serious harm, or where the law requires it.

Legal professional privilege. LawFiq is not a law firm, so what you tell LawFiq is not protected by legal professional privilege.

How our fees work

Every matter is different. Once we understand what you need, we tell you what it involves and what it will cost, before you commit to anything.

• We explain our fees clearly, in advance, in plain terms
• You will know the likely cost before any work begins
• Where legal work is needed, our partner solicitors’ costs are set out too
• No hidden charges, and no pressure

If cost is a worry, tell us. We would rather have an honest conversation about it than have you go without the help you need.

Who does what on your matter

LawFiq provides the Islamic guidance and mediation. If your matter needs legal work, such as a civil divorce, a formal agreement or court documents, our partner solicitors carry it out, coordinated with us as one.

In person, by phone, or online

You can work with us however suits you best. We offer consultations in person at our London office, by telephone, or by video wherever you are. We advise in English, Arabic and Urdu, and we keep what you share private, as our privacy notice explains.

If you have received a notice from our panel

Your notice contains a reference and a code. Use them to read the notice and respond, whether you agree, do not agree, or want to speak to the panel first. The panel never shares the applicant’s address or contact details.

Keeping safe online

• The divorce and mediation applications have a ‘Leave this site quickly’ button that leaves the site at once.
• Use a private or incognito browser window on a shared device.
• Tell us if we must not leave voicemails or send letters to your home.
• If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak, call 999 from a mobile and press 55 when asked.

Checking whether a mosque can hold a legal marriage

A nikah is also a legal marriage only if the mosque is registered for marriages and a registrar or authorised person is present. Before booking, ask the mosque both questions, or check the official list of places registered for marriage on GOV.UK. If it is not registered, you can have a civil ceremony at a register office as well as your nikah. Our nikah recognition check explains your position.